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1947
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THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1947,
Motoring News And Views: Continued from Page 10
BENTLEY 44-LITRE
The fist of the famous post-war Bentleys, the 44-Litre, arrived in the Colony recently. The model shown here is the 4-door Sports Saloon, with coachwork by Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd.
America Will
What Cars Buy From Abroad
:::
Page 11.
The Press And The USED CARS
Petrol Cut
Discrimination
Rash
run
"Thia Harsh declajon has all "The Government seems to the appearance of being class have rashly assumed that the discrimination. There are use of basic petrol is a luxury other directions, notably in the of the middle class and that consumption by the Armed an easy distinction can be made Forces and in amount of re: between essential and unessen.. exports, where a greater say-tial journeys. In fact, some ing could be effected. It is wo million families Acarcely equitable for the Gov-motor cars or motor bi ernment, after having received relea...In all these cases the heavy tax on the purchase of abolition of the basic petrol new cars, to deprive owners of sation, at a time when rali the use of them."The Scots transport is being cut to a minimum and when the bus Barvice are quito inadequate, will involve a disproportionato loss of time and efficiency." The New Statesman and Nu- tion.
'man.
Farce
Resented
FOR SALE
FORD ANGLIA
AUSTIN "8"
VAUXHALL "14"
MORRIS "8" HILLMAN MINX
EVERY Car GUARANTEED
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ECONOMICAL
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The petrol force goes on... one of the least endearing -traits of the Labour Govern- ment has always been its ox- treme reluctance to admit itself mistaken a certain percept- ible fraction of man (and wo- "The cut of que-third, an-qualified automobile engineers. man) hours which might have nounced by Mr. Attice three been devoted directly The big American manufac-
or in-weeks before the abolition was turers, such as General Motors directly to the export drive will decreed, was generally, accept- and Ford, had said that it now be spent on waiting for ed in the knowledge that ancri- would be six to nine months beuses, taking children to school fees fore they were manufacturingon bicycle carriers and in sufficient quantity to satisfy cuperating from the additional their own market.
{[зtrenuousnEBA of a carless "That means that British existence."-The Economist. manufacturers have just ning months in which to convince Americans that British cars to gend 500 curs to the U.S. a are worth while."
month and to increase that
SCHOOL: Driving were necessary, but the DRIVING re-Government's second thoughts ressons, given by experienced
which have never been frankly lostructors at moderate fees, explained, are strongly resent- ed by motoriste as being dis. criminatory and arbitrary.” The Times.
Infuriating
If we want to sell our products in America, it is no good trying to build a motor that looks, and is, like an American car and costs twice the price, whatever Mr. Bevin may say. That is the considered opin- į gas, easy to park, and must ion of Mr. L. P. Lord, Chair-have a performance somewhat man and Managing Director of similar to American cara, "I have met some of the Amto 600 a week by the end of "The Government has now the Austin Muter Ca., Ltd., ex-}ntherwise they would be a crican manufacturers,” con- the year.".
infuriated even its keen sup pressed at a Press conference | nuisance in traffic. Also, the tinued Mr. Lord, "and they "The American market is porters... For a tiny fuel at Langbridge shortly after his price must be right; $100 or don't mind un going there; in extraordinary. It is short and economy which the Services return from the States, where even $50 too high would fact, they welcome a little com sharp. If we are not success- could make without noticing it. he has been launching the most | fatal.
petition, and have been very ful. I cannot ace how anyone clerks are to be multiplied by intensive export campaign ever
helpful."
else can hope to be, because new the thousand and forms by the undertaken by a British man
Fout there in such a rush,
MAINLAND
MOTORS
THE USED CAR PEOPLE
be
The new Austin A40 models will sell in America for $1,395 In the past, he continued. models are essential and ours million, and the polico, Instead for the Dornet two-door British manufacturers had failure, ready. That's why I went of watching burglars, will be 34, Tak Shing Str., Kowloon. saloon and $1,495 for the De-ed by not giving service. Aus von four-door type (about 4350 tins were altering that by ar and £376 respectively.
ranging stocks of spares in seven places in the US, from which parts could be despatched (by ale where necessary) to anywhere within 24 hours.
facturer.
Explaining this point in greater detail, he pointed out that the U.S. market in well covered by cars Belling for 1 asked Mr. Lord whether the $1,500 to $3,500.
idea was to sell the small mo- "They are good cars-won-delɛ to one-car families or as derful value for money—and if sécond car to more wealthy any British manufacturer tries families. Initially, they would Initially, stocks would be to break into that market he be advertised as a second car, carried by Austin's own organ- will get hurt. Above and be- he said, the campaign being ization, because it would not low it, there is a big field for launched in magaziues appeal- be fair to expect dealers to a. but is not big enough to ing to the higher-income carry enough stocks to offer indure Americau manufacturers groups. Then, when they be this service, but if dealers to go into 14.**
came popular with these classes, found this business profitable, people in the lower-income they would, no doubt, want to groups would buy them asbe in on it in due course. their sole cars. It was "all" a "With the Brot 100 "cars we Sutter of psychology.
...
new"
But, Mr. Lord warned, the presway British car was not de- ceptaisle.
"Anything that goes to Am criento-day must be Present Austin body styling, he consideral, WAR good for 18 months.
"Then
#hall We
have to change again—the same as wo do over here."
U.S. Requirements Dealing with British curs which will sell on the lower fringe of the Ameriena mar ket, Mr. Lord said that the smaller curs must be easy on
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On the subject of the upper fringe of the American market, the Austin Chairman pointed out that the finest U.S. cars sold at $3,000 to $3,600 dollars. They had no cars with a snob value. In fact, the social ar peal of their cars had disap- peared because even the best of them had get into the hands of classes which had no social standing. There remained only he care which we were offering them, because there were no Mercedes-Benz, or cars of that kind "available now,
The big Austin,, the "Sheer linc" and the "Princess," would sell for $4,500 and $6,000 dol lara respectively (about £1,126 and 1,500). These cara. Mr. Lord revealed, were now to be fitted with 4-litre engines in place of the 8-litna engines (87 mm.. by 111 mm; 8,092 cc.), developing about 130 b.h.p. and 140 bhp, compared with 110 b.h.p. and 120 bh.p. of the pro- vious types.
send out, We shall probably send out the equivalent of 50 cars in spares. Our job is to get those cars sold and keep then sold."
American Mentality A joint which had to he borne in mind was that the Americans 'were particularly at nah-conscious, and Mr. Lord- mentioned one U.S. car which despite shortages) the Ameri caus would not buy, simply be- cause a damaged wing meant
body job and not a fonder job," which the Americans reckon to repair in a couple of hours.
Another point:-Americans want bright colours. Austin were going to provide them. In many cases, too, certain States wanted
special equipment. "We're going to give 'em what they want this time, and per suade them to like what will come afterwards."....
Queried about shipping, Mr. Lord said that there was no Of both these markets. Mr. shortage. Westbound ships Lord spoke uptimistically, cape were going out empty. But efally the market on the lower prices wore, too high-£16 for fringe, where he had found aa 10 hp, car, uncrated. 36 surprising: démand for the new. The U.S. market la only part Austins
of the Austin' trans-Atlantic Orders Already drive Plans for Canada, tit In New York and the arca) was revealed, were aimljar. within a 100-mile radius, tho Already 7,000 orders had been new Austin Company in Ameri recolved. And then there was! ca (The Austin Motor Co. the rest of the world. . (England), Ltd.) had already. signed up 87 deniera fall of whom had been carefully Could all these orders be ful- "Acreeped), and these dealers filled Mr. Lord was asked? hnd put forward orders for The answer was n dogmatle 7,900 care in that area alone. "Yes, if we can got the steal Figures were still coming. In and the materialal. Produc from the rest of the US and tion was already 2,100 learan that Agure could be multiplied week, and early next year it by four, at least
was planned to step up that That meant. $80,000,000) Pryre: to: 8,400-a: week. “The worth of export bubiness to new models are already begin- Britain:
ning to flow We are hoping
"Yes, If...
:
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"If we fall, we shall have lost lost a quarter of a million pounds," added Mr. Lord, "but I don't think we shall fall"
(From "The Motor"') ·
chivvying (with waste of their own petrol) "aume motorist who, within the two-mile shopping limit, has picked up supplies and saved a housewife's arme and lega."-Tho Observer..
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